Help Me Choose: Operating System

The operating system (OS) is the most important software on your PC because your PC must have an OS to run other programs. The OS allows you to give your computer commands through the graphical interface, like where to save your personal files, without you speaking the computer’s language. It recognizes input from the keyboard, sends output to the monitor, organizes files and directories on the hard disk, and controls devices like webcams and printers. In addition, it manages how your computer accesses available networks.

To choose the right OS, consider how you plan to use your PC and whether it is touch-enabled.

If you’re buying a touch-enabled PC, want to use cloud services and Windows apps in addition to the features of Windows 7, and want a faster loading time, choose a Windows® 8 edition.

If you mostly use web-based applications, are not dependent on OS-specific programs, want low cost of ownership, you’re comfortable with open-source software, choose Ubuntu if it’s available.

To learn more about the features and editions of Windows® 8 and Ubuntu, use the tabs below.

Want to take advantage of the wide range of new Windows apps designed for Windows 8

Windows Store (wireless connectivity is required to access the Store)

Want real-time updates to the information you care about

Live Tiles

Want assurance that you always have the latest version of your Windows app

Windows Store always has the latest software available (wireless connectivity is required to access the Store)

Want secure bootup

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) BIOS that intercepts and notifies you of threats early in the boot process

Want to use cloud services to the fullest

Windows Store — purchased apps are available on multiple devices. Windows Store — pick up where you left off in a game or app; from anywhere you can access your app (wireless connectivity is required to access the Store).SkyDrive — Windows 8 apps are more easily integrated with SkyDrive. (internet connection required)

New Windows® 8.1 Features

Want more personalization options

Set the lock screen to your favorite photo, or turn the lock screen display into a slide show of your pictures. Pin tiles to your Start screen for the people, sites, and apps that matter to you, and arrange them the way you want.

Camera App allows you to record video and take a picture at the same time. Also there is new Panorama functionality

xBox Music and Video app has been completely redesigned to simplify user experience

Mail app has a new print function in the app bar, gives notifications while in other apps

Like to Skype

Nothing beats Skype when you want to catch up with your best friend, see your kids when you’re on the road, or reconnect with far-away family.

Touch, keyboard and mouse: seamless integration

Windows® 8 is hands-on and designed to eliminate the need to choose. You don’t have to “work” on your PC and “play” on your tablet. The most efficient way to get stuff done is immediately available. Whether you’re browsing apps, reading a book, typing on the go with touch, creating a project that requires the more productive horsepower of a traditional mouse and keyboard, or doing everything at once, Windows 8 makes it easy. You use whatever works best, whenever it works best. No trade-offs.

On new touch-enabled PCs, the things you can do with a mouse and keyboard are just as easy to do with touch. You can switch between apps, organize your start screen, and pan and zoom. With the touch keyboard, you can navigate, type and interact on the go. Because you work in different ways depending on which app you’re using, Windows 8 makes it easy to use whichever method works best.

The touch keyboard has two modes designed to suit the way you work. You get a full-sized keyboard with large buttons or a handy thumb keyboard that splits the keys on either side of the screen, making it easy and more comfortable to use on the go. Typing feels natural whether you’re sitting down or walking around.

The innovative thumb keyboard makes typing on portable devices easier

Type naturally with the touch keyboard

The Windows 8 keyboard speaks your language. On new, touch-enabled PCs, the keyboard layout automatically adjusts to the language you choose for Windows, so your language settings apply to the whole PC rather than just certain apps. Whether you want to type and click, swipe and tap, or do a combination of both, you can navigate and work easily and efficiently in the language of your choice with Windows 8.

The new language of touchOn new, touch-enabled PCs, you can move things on your screen comfortably. Here are a few common Windows 8 gestures.

Swipe from the right edge for system commandsSwiping from the right side of the screen reveals the charms with system commands. Swiping from the left brings up previously used apps.

Mouse equivalent: Place the mouse pointer in the lower or upper right corner of the screen and move your mouse up the right edge.

Swipe from the bottom or top edge for app commandsApp commands are revealed by swiping from the bottom or top edge. You can swipe from the top to the bottom of the screen to dock or close the current app.

Mouse equivalent: Right-click the app to see the apps commands

Swipe in from the left to switch appsSwiping in from the left reveals thumbnails of your open apps so you can switch to them quickly.

Mouse equivalent: Place the mouse pointer in the upper left and click to cycle through apps or lower-left corner of the screen to see the start screen.

Drag an app to close itYou don’t have to close apps. They won’t slow down your PC and they’ll close on their own if you don’t use them for a while. If you want to close an app, drag the app to the bottom of the screen.

Mouse equivalent: Click the top of the app and drag it to the bottom of the screen.

Swipe in and out on the left brings up previously used appsSwiping in and back out on the left brings up the most recently used apps and you can select an app from that list.

Mouse equivalent: Place the mouse in the upper left and slide down the left side of the screen to see the most recently used apps.

Press and hold to learnYou can see details when you press and hold. In some cases, pressing and holding opens a menu with more options.

Mouse equivalent: Point to an item to see more options.

Slide to dragThis is mostly used to pan or scroll through lists and pages, but you can use it for other interactions too, such as moving an object or for drawing and writing.

Mouse equivalent: Click, hold and drag to pan or scroll. Also, when you use a mouse and keyboard, a scroll bar appears at the bottom of the screen so you can scroll horizontally.

Pinch or stretch to zoomZooming provides a way to jump to the beginning, end or a specific location within a list. You can start zooming by pinching or stretching two fingers on the screen.

Mouse and keyboard equivalent: Hold down the control key on the keyboard while using the mouse wheel to expand or shrink an item or tiles on the screen.

Tap to perform an actionTapping something causes an action, such as launching an app or following a link.

Mouse equivalent: Click an item to perform an action.

Rotate to turnRotating two or more fingers turns an object. You can turn the whole screen 90 degrees when you rotate your device.

Mouse equivalent: Support for rotating an object depends on whether the specific app supports it.

Ubuntu is an open-source linux-distribution operating system created by a global community of IT professionals and enthusiasts. Dell offers the Ubuntu OS on select products as an alternative to commercial operating systems.

Features

Ubuntu is modern, stylish and easy to use. Its user-friendly design makes learning new applications a snap.

Ubuntu can have a low total cost of ownership over the life of your computer. There are no licensing fees for Ubuntu or for the thousands of free applications available through the Ubuntu Software Center.

An office productivity suite, LibreOffice, also comes bundled with Ubuntu.

Ubuntu is safe and secure. With a trusted application software repository, data encryption and built-in protection from malware and viruses, you can be protected.

If you are a corporate customer, Dell offers ProSupport for Ubuntu to help with any OS questions or issues you may have.

Which should you choose?

You might prefer Ubuntu if:

The applications you use are mostly web-based, for example, using a browser. Web-based applications run well with Ubuntu.

You are not already dependent upon applications based on other operating systems.